"It seems we have intruders in the vicinity." With a wicked grin and malicious intents, Zeref watched the group from his Crystal Orb with eyes full of mischief. "Though this was expected at first. What a bunch of fools they are. They didn't even suspect that they've been watched from the start." He snapped his fingers loudly and while doing so, the sound wave it make echoed through the field.
"And things will start to get interesting, once they find out what i in store for them. Yes. Interesting indeed."
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"Is this...Infernal Ethereal?" The Sky Maiden gasped at the sight in front of her. No doubt the others would be shock as well. Here they were at the place where everything was in order and sustained. And what's in front of them was just not the place they've expected it to be. It was rather much, much more than that, than anyone could ever imagine.
Everything was just so perfect. All pure and cleansed. It was weird that none of that were affected by Zeref's dark pressence here. They were expecting the place to be totally been wasted into a deserted wasteland. With all the darkening skies and dry out lakes, streams rivers and etc...But no, it was none of that. And to their relief too, if added.
"Sugoi..." Even Natsu was lost for words, along with the floating Happy who also had an awestruck expression on his face.
"All right, everyone." Celendria called out."Now that you've seen what Infernal Ethereal looks like, it's now time for us to move on to the center core. I have a suspicion that we'll see Zeref there. And of course, our Lucy." Having their seriousness back, they all nodded in agreement. However, before they could even venture to the core, a dark-familiar voice stopped them.
"Oh, I agree with the female dark dragon."
They turned towards the voice behind them and saw none other than the Dark Mage himself.
"Zeref!" Natsu yelled out in a battle stance, as well as the others who immediately turned to battle mode. They heard him chuckle, which Natsu responded in retort. "What's so funny!?" This made the dark mage chuckle more. "Oh, nothing. It's just that, you look kind of silly getting worked up like that. Ha! You all are really that desperate to eliminate me." mockery clearly states in his tone. Much to pink haired dragon slayer's annoyance.
"Calm down, Natsu." Came Igneel's command, attempting to stop his son from charging towards the grinning Dark Wizard in aggression. "What game are you playing at, Zeref?" he asked." Coming here without a strategy on your part? That's not like you."
The brunette just smiled teasingly."What strategy are you talking about?" The Fire Dragon growled in return. "Don't toy with me, sonny." Zeref smirked. "Am I really?"
"You as well, Igneel. Calm down. Don't let his words of mockery get the best of you." The said Dragon was irritated at the brunette in front. And he would have teared him to pieces, if it weren't for Grandeneey who told him to stay calm. Like Father like son, like i always say. "What exactly are you here for, Zeref? Shouldn't you be at the core planning on your world domination plan or something?" it was Metallicana who asked this time, while cautiously walking beside the fuming Fire Dragon.
Zeref hummed to his direction, before faking a smile at the Iron Dragon. "Well, to tell you the truth. I'm not exactly where you think i am at the moment."
"What do you mean by that exactly?" Serena questioned confusingly.
Raising both arms slightly in front of him, Zeref asnwered." Where i am is none of your concern. However, i can tell you about my dear Lucy's condition. That is, what you were hoping isn't it?" Precisely his point, that caught everyone's attention ever so abruptly. "What about Lucy!?" Zeref turned towards the shocked Natsu. "Oh, she's fairing quite well in my opinion. And the perfect wife as i imagine her to be." Grinning at the end.
